A Manchester Magistrates’ Court has sentenced Nigerian nurse Ruth Auta to three years in prison for causing the death of her 10-week-old baby, Joshua Akerele.
The court heard that Auta, 28, left her baby alone at home for eight hours on December 20, 2022, while working at Royal Bolton Hospital, reports Daily Mail.
Auta returned home and found out that her son was not breathing. She then called 911 but the infant died an hour after the ambulance arrived despite resuscitation efforts.
Tests revealed that he might have overheated due to excessive layers of clothing and bedding.
Auta was charged with cruelty to a child.
She pleaded guilty on May 24, 2024.
She had told the police she had collected Joshua from a childminder, fed him, and then fell asleep with him on her bed. She claimed she found him unresponsive upon waking.
However, CCTV footage and incriminating text messages contradicted her story.
The footage showed Auta leaving and returning to her accommodation without Joshua, and texts revealed she had instructed her childminder to falsely state she was caring for Joshua that day.
The childminder later confirmed she had not seen the baby for several days.
District Crown prosecutor for CPS North West Sara Davie said, “Ruth Auta failed to provide the care her baby needed and chose to leave him alone.
“As a nurse, she should have been aware of the dangers of leaving her child unattended. Her attempts to evade justice further demonstrate her lack of remorse.”
